Endorsement by Senator Don Oliver, CM, ONS, QC

“Black and White is beautifully written—a must-read.”

If you’ve ever wondered if Canadians of African descent have convincingly made the case that systemic anti-Black racism is a living reality, worry no more, because Stephen Dorsey’s scintillating and powerful book lays out the most compelling case yet.

Black and White is informative, interesting, and challenging, while carefully footnoted with historical truths from both Canada and the United States. What makes it even more convincing is that the biracial and bilingual author shares with us the painful, shockingly personal anti-Black racism encountered in his own home throughout his formative years.

Dorsey doesn’t merely list the usual complaints about how Blacks have suffered over the last four hundred years; instead, he provides many practical solutions and remedies for those with the authority to implement them. As he puts it, “It’s time for our government to become more proactive rather than reactive and lead the way in bringing about systemic reform that will lead to greater equality.”

After detailing his countless in-your-face encounters with racism, he concludes that to be successful in his chosen career, his Blackness is a reality he has to “transcend.”

– Senator Donald Oliver, CM, ONS, QC, author of A Matter of Equality